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New CEO, Derek Nicholls, starts at HQ Theatres

Qdos Entertainment has appointed Derek Nicholls as Chief Executive Officer of HQ Theatres, starting this Monday, 20th July 2009.

Stepping into the new post, Derek Nicholls will spearhead Qdos' expansion in regional theatre management where it is already the second largest privately owned operator. Derek Nicholls will work closely with Qdos Chairman Nick Thomas, and current Theatres Managing Director Michael Ockwell. Nicholls' appointment brings the strength of his unrivalled experience as one of the UK's most commercially and artistically successful venue managers and producers on the regional touring circuit.

Derek Nicholls comes to Qdos from ATG's Churchill Theatre, Bromley, where, since 2003, he has moved the venue into profitability, attracting major producers such as Bill Kenwright, Stage Entertainment, Mark Goucher, Kim Poster and Paul Elliott to develop and launch new productions, whilst presiding over the expansion of one of the most extensive Creative Learning programmes of any commercial theatre in the UK, with successful major funding bids to Arts Council England. The Churchill has co-produced forty new shows under Derek Nicholls' directorship, amongst them Carousel (starring Lesley Garrett); Disney's High School Musical, David Essex's All the Fun of the Fair and Universal Music's Dreamboats and Petticoats.

Before that, in 1994, Derek had been recruited by the newly-formed Grand Opera House (Belfast) Trust, to rescue its ailing theatre, which he moved into profit, and developed into one of the most successful presenting houses in the UK, with highly-acclaimed seasons by The Royal Ballet, Welsh National Opera, the National Theatre, and the Abbey, Dublin, as well as major musicals from Really Useful Group, David Ian, and Cameron Mackintosh.

Since 2004, Derek has been President of the Theatrical Management Association, whose Council of Management has doubled the length of his term as President, in recognition of his outstanding success in guiding the Association's growth into the leading industry advocate and development agency for theatre management in the United Kingdom nations and regions. He is also a Director of the Dance Consortium, and of Stage One (the Theatre Investment Fund).

HQ Theatres currently operates seven sites with an eighth scheduled for a summer 2009 take over. The portfolio includes The Orchard Theatre Dartford, The White Rock Theatre Hastings, The Beck Theatre Hayes, The Swan Theatre High Wycombe, The Cliffs Pavilion Southend, The Palace Theatre Westcliff, The Wyvern Theatre Swindon and The Watford Colosseum (where the company is currently 'preferred bidder').

Nick Thomas, Chairman of Qdos Entertainment plc, said;

"I am delighted to welcome Derek Nicholls to Qdos, which consolidates our business and personal relationship spanning two decades. His unique experience and industry standing will bring new strength and depth to the Qdos management team as the company continues to expand in the regions."

Derek Nicholls said:

"I am honoured to be invited to head the new Qdos Theatre Division at a point where it is poised to become a leader in entertainment, the performing arts, and creative learning. Qdos is a lean, focussed, vigorous organisation blessed with a talented and energetic team of management and staff. I have no doubt that I shall greatly enjoy working with Nick, his board, and the divisional staff, and that together, we can put the company's venues at the centre of entertainment and cultural life in towns and cities throughout the country."